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The late, great political rascal Fate Thomas was known far and wide for hosting an annual soiree: the Sure Shot Rabbit Hunters Supper.

Folks would come from miles around to swill beer and eat buckshot-laden bunnies. If you were running for any office, no matter your party or beliefs, it was a must-attend event.

The event lasted 38 years but died out after Sheriff Thomas went to federal prison on assorted issues, including stealing meat from the city to serve barbecue at just such events.

Now, Fate Thomas Jr. and a group of nostalgic politicos are bringing the supper back. Only they won’t be serving bunny rabbits.

“We’re giving all the rabbits a pardon, but we’re still going to have fun,” said Raymond Thomasson, a lobbyist for the soft drink industry and one of the late Fate’s best friends.

Because you can’t re-create history, they are calling themselves the “Not So Sure Shot Rabbit Hunters,” said Thomas, a court officer.

“None of us have ever shot a rabbit,” Thomas said.

Make no mistake. The party is intended to be political. They figure there are about 30 candidates running for judge seats in Davidson County. They hope each candidate will fork over enough money to sponsor a table. Individual tickets are $25. The party will take place April 3 at the State Fairgrounds. They hope to sell 1,200 tickets, a far cry from the night the Sure Shot Rabbit Hunters Supper drew a crowd of 5,000 and made “The Today Show.”

The original Sure Shot group was formed in 1954 with six hunters, including Fate Thomas. After the season, they invited a few friends over to eat their catch, and from there, the event just grew. Thomas was a charismatic, iconic public figure who gave generously to charities and helped anyone who needed a hand up. The party became his signature event.

“I think it became almost an institution unto itself,” Thomasson said. “It kind of grew and grew and became one night a year when the good ol’ boys and everybody from every spectrum of life got together and had a good time.

“You might see a defense lawyer with his client that just got out of jail and the district attorney who prosecuted him, and they’re all having a beer together.”

At its height it attracted every elected official in the state and a large handful of wannabes, almost all smoking cigars and swilling beer. Backs were slapped. Palms were glad-handed. Everybody from Jimmy Carter to Howard Baker to Al Gore Jr. to Lamar Alexander showed.

The money raised this time will all go to charity, including Room in the Inn, Nashville’s Drug Court Support Foundation and the tuition assistance fund in Sheriff Thomas’ name at St. Edward School. Tickets are available at those locations, along with the Batter’s Box at 43 Hermitage Ave.; Tex’s Barbecue, 1013 Foster Ave.; the Corner Pub in Green Hills; Dalton’s Grille in Bellevue; John A’s at 2421 Music Valley Drive; and Wendell Smith’s, 407 53rd Ave. N. For more information, call Thomas Jr. at 615-400-3410.

Rest assured this time around, Thumper and the Easter Bunny are safe.

“No rabbits will be harmed in the giving of this party,” Thomas said. “I’m going to cook 80 Boston butts and make 300 pounds of slaw.”

And this time around, they’re buying the food.

Gail Kerr’s column runs on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Reach her at 615-259-8085 or gkerr@tennessean.com.